Process for treatment of hydrocarbon oils



R. 8. DAY. PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF HYDROCABBON OILS. APPLICATION FILED JULYZY. 1918.

1 57,277. Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

FIG. 2.

E i gm \T 'T T To Candenser b gvwentoz w 4? 0 atto'm e1 imirso STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

{ROLAND B. DAY, OFSWARTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIG on TO ALFRED B. ADAMS, I oF-NEW-YORK, N. Y.

rnocnss FOR TREAT ENT or HYDRooARBoN oILs.

.. Application filed July 27, 1918. Serial No. 247,012.

To all whom'z't'may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLA D 13. DAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swarthmore, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Im rovements i'n-Processes for Treatment of ydrocarbon'Oils, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon oils hav1ng low boiling points from-hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points. The invention relates particularly to cracking processes in which the hydrocarbon material to be treated is subjected to contact w-ith hot gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen whereby the vapors mingle with the hot gases and are cracked thereby.

One feature of the invention is the fractional distillation of the untreated oil and the progressive introduction ofthe vaporous fractions into contact with a current of the hot gases of combustion in such a mannerv that the lighter fractions are treated with 'the'hottestgases of combustion to effectcracking-and the vapors of the heavier frac-. .tions are treated with the.

progressively cooler gases, 1

I The invention includes the distillation and cracking feature operated at a common pressure and provides certain ranges of located above and as a continuation of the cracking chamber.

The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will be described in detail and claimed in the following specificationand claims and described in the drawings, in whichi 3 Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view through the preferred form of apparatus and adapted to operate the process;

Fig. 2 is an exterior view taken at right angles to Fig. 1 and illustrating the progressive arrangement of the piping for the fractional distillate vapors,

It is generally known that different 011s will crack at different temperatures andthat in the case of petroleum the lower the boiltion-by contact with hot 1t1on substantially devoid 0 oxygen. In carrying the'process into effect, theoil to be 'ing pointj-the higher the cracking point.

The present invention provides for the'a'pplication of this fact to the cracking of hydrocarbon oils while in a vap orous condiases of combustreated is first separated into a number of different cuts or fractions according to their boiling, points and thereafter acted upon by the temperature best suited to each fraction.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

The invention provides for the use of an I apparatus which'jis substantially tower-like or cylindrical. In:,the lower part of this tower, which is of metal,gases of combustion are generated and the quenched gases rise upward through the tower to an outlet atthe top. The lower part of the tower,

adjacent the source of gasesof combustion, Y

is lined with fire brick an'dconstitutes the cracking chamber. The upperportion of the apparatus constitutes a combined fractionating and condensing tower and need not be lined with- .fire brick as the "gases of combustion will be cooled before reaching that part and no cracking will take place." In-the combined fractionating and condensing toweri is afcoilof'pipe within which the fresh'oil is distilled and fractionatedby the heat taken from the current of gases passing. Attached to the inner surface of the. combined fractionating and condensing I tower. are a series of annular troughs adapted to catch condensates of different boiling points and conduct the same into the distilling coil for'further subsequent distilling and cracking.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 indicates a cylindrical metal casing which stands vertically on any suitable foundation, not shown. The lower half ofthe interior-of the casing 1 is the cracking chamber and because it is subjected to very intense heat, it is lined with fire brick 2 or other material capable of withstanding cracking temperature. The lower end of the cylinder is continued downwardly in a tapered portion 3. The upper end of the cylinder 1 is closed by a top member. 4 having formed therein an outlet opening 5 for the passage of vapors which may be driven 1 offto a suitable condenserg'not shown. Ad-

jacent the bottom of the cylinder 1' and above the-tapered portion 3 are the laterally extending conically shaped hollow burner 1 stantially continuous part thereof.

v the cracking area.

' most lead-off extensions 6. These extensions are tightly secured to the cylinder '1 and are a sub- Fire brick 2 is also used within the burner extensions 6. At the extreme ends of the ex-' tensions 6 and positioned just within the bore of the'extension is'an oil burner 7 having connected thereto the oil pipe 8 and steam pipe 9 The fire blast from the burners. 7 causes considerable pressure and the positive movement of gases upward through the cylinder 1. An elbow pipe member 10 of approximately the same bore as the bore of the abutting end of the extension 6 is fastened to the extension over the end of the bore and extends downwardly. Oxygen or air under pressure may' be supplied through the pipe 10 from any suitable source, such as a pump, not shown. The

end of the pipe farthest from the cylinder 1.is preferably provided with valve means for closing the same and thus maintaining pressure within the cylinder.

Within theupper portion of the cylinder is a pipe coil 11 illustrated as having nine coils. The upper end of this coil extends to a point beyond the cylinder wall 6 and constitutes the receiving end of the coil for the reception of fresh oil. The lowermost end of the-coil is located within the cylinder and ata point adjacent the top of the fire brick 2,

or just beyond At predetermined points, according to fractions to be obtained, lead-off pipes 12"are connected to the top side of'the pipe coil 11. The first or toppipe is indicated as 13, the second as .14, the third as 15, and the fourth as 16. The pipes 13, 14, 15 and 16 extend from the coil 11 to the cylinder'l and downwardly through the brick 2 to predetermined points above the lateral extensions 6,

I at which points the pipes 13,14, 15 and 16,

pro ect through the casing 1 into the cracking chamber. It will be noted that the topmost pipe 13 is introduced into the crack-- in'g chamber at the lowest point and that the other pipes progressively are introduced at points about the same and in inverse relation with respect to their relation to the coil 11. Steam injector pipes 13*,14, 15 and '16 are provided at each point of intro-" at a central point pumped into the coil 11.

oil does not fill the bore of the coil pipe duction of pipes 13, 14, 15 and 16 to assist in forcing in thegvapors of oil. The rate and force of flow of the steam may be gaged according to-the functioning of the other parts oftheapparatus and the temperature of the cylinder and the amount of oil being treated.

' A pluralityof annular collector flanges 17 are mounted around the interior of the upper portion of the cylinder 1 and serve to catch any material condensing on the inner surface of the cylinder 1. Material thus caught is led from the flanges '17 to catch condensates of different boiling pointswhich condensate are led back into the coil at points best suited for the further fractionating on the materia The coil may be supported within the cylinder byany suitable bracing means and as illustrated these braces constitute two rods 11 extending across the bar of the cylinder and supporting the coil 11 at two different places intermediate of its length.

The lower end of the tapered portion 3 is provided with a pipe 3 for introducing air to burn out carbon which may fall within the tapered portion or accumulate on the walls of the cracking'chamber. A lower cover plate 3" is also provided for access to the cracking chamber.

In the operationof'the process and apparatus, the burners 7 are ignited and oil is The amount of but flows only on the lower side thereof in its travel through the coil. The flames from'the burners 7 provide a current of intensely hot gases, which rise upward through the cracking chamber and travel around and past the coil 11. Theheat vaporizes oil within the coil. Fraction No. 1 as vapor is taken off by pipe 13, fraction No. 2- through pipe '14, fraction No. 3 through pipe 15, and fraction No. 4 through pipe 16. Fraction No. 1 has a lower boiling point because it was heated by the coolest gases, farthest from the burner. Accordingly in order that this distillate can be cracked, it must besubjected to the hottest cracking heat and it is therefore introduced as vapor by pipe 13 at the lowermost point of introduction within the cracking champoint where the next fraction would react to the best advantage.

The gases and commingled cracked vapors not condensed on the walls .of the cylinder 1 are led out of the opening-5 in the top 4 and passed through anysuitable'condenser, not shown, and refined as desired.

The invention includes the operation at temperature ranging from 00 .to 3000 F. and at pressure ranging up' to 600 lbs. per

square inch. The temperature of 7 00 F.

is mentioned in the claims to indicate a temperature sufiiciently high so that all doubt will be removed that a cracking temperature is used. The apparatus must op erate under pressure and the pressure is equalized through the various pipes and other parts of the apparatus.

Any number of fractions could be similarly treated, and the invention is applicable to any type of vapor phase process. Changes in size, shape, and material may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Vhat I claim is 1. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points-from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, subjecting the fractions so separated to contact with gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen, whereby the fractions are cracked, and utilizing the heat of the mixture of cracked material and gases of combustion to fractionally distil additional hydrocarbon oil.

2. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within a chamber to contact with a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the. source of said gases.

3. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydro carbon oil to be treated, providing a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subject-' ing the fractions so separated progressively within said chamber to contact with said cur 7 rent of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being intro duced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removedfrom the source of said gases.

4. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, generating a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within said chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combus tion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of com- 7 tions so separated to'contact with gases ofv combustion substantially devoid of oxygen, whereby the fractions are cracked, and utilizing the heat of the mixture of cracked material and gases of combustion to fractionally distil additional hydrocarbon oil, said fractional' distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure.

6. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, subjecting the fractions so separated to contact with gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen, whereby the fractions are cracked, and utilizing the heat of the mixture of cracked material and gases of combustion to fractionally distil additional hydrocarbon oil, said fractional distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure and the cracking of said lightest fraction being conducted at a temperature of at least 7 00 F.

7. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within a chamber to contact with a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progres sively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases, said fractional distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure.

8. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling pointsfrom hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within to said current of gases of combustion at pointsp'rogressively removed from the source of said gases,.said fractional distillation and said cracking being conductedv at the same pressure and the cracking of said lightest fraction being conducted at-a temperature of at'least 700 F.

9'. The process of producing hydrocar-' bon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a current of gases of combustion" substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber,

subjecting the fractions so separated pro gressively within said chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed fromthe source of said gases, said fractional distillation and said cracking belng conducted at the same pressure.

10. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists offractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within said chamber to contact with said current ofgases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adj acentthe source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions" being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases, said fractional distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure and the cracking of said lightest fraction being with said'current'of gases whereby the fracconducted at a temperature of at least 11. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils-having low boiling points rom hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally' distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, generating a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated progressively Within said chamber to contact tions are cracked,.the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of.

combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of.

gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases, said fractional distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure.

12. The process of producing hydrocarbon oil's having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of' fractionally distilling the hy:

drocarbon oil to be treated, generating a current of gases of combustion-substantially subjecting the fractions so separated progressively within" said chamber to contact with said current of gases wherebythe fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent thesource thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber,

removed from the source of said gases, said fractional distillation-and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure and the- 14:. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having. high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state progressively within a chamber to contact with a current of-gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions'being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases.

15. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid. of oxygen Within 'aclosed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state progressively withinsaid chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the

lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases.

16. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils-having low boiling'points from hyi, drocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydro-carbon oil tobe treated, generatlng a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state progressively within said chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion ata point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier' fractions bein introducedinto said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases.

17 The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state to contact with gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen, whereby the fractions are cracked, and utilizing the heat of the mixture of cracked material and gases of combustion to fractionally distil additional hydrocarbon oil, said fractional distillation and'sa'id cracking being'conducted at the same pressure.

18. The'process' of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbonoil to be treated, subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state to contact with gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen, whereby the fractions are cracked, and utilizing the heat of the mixture of cracked material and gases of combustion to fractionally "distil additional hydrocarbon oil, said fractional distillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure and the 'cracking'of' said lightest fraction being conducted at a temperature of at least 700 F,

19. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having hi h boiling points which consists of fractional y distilling the hydrocarbon'oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated and in a vaporous state progressively within a chamber to contact with a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said m of combustion at a point adjacent the I source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions beingintroduced into said current ofgases of combustion at points progressively removed from the ,source' of said" gases, sald fractional distillation and said,

cracking being conducted "at the same pressure. I v

20. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hy drocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists'of fractionall-y distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, and subjecting the fractions so separated andina vapoints progressively removed from the source ofsaid gases, said fractional distillatlon and said cracklng belng conducted at the same pressure and the crackingof said lightest fraction being conducted at a temperature of at least 7 00 F. v

21. The process of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hydrocarbon oils having high boiling points which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within aclosed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated and m a vaporous state progressively within said,

chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent' the source thereof and the pro gressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases, said fract1onal-d1stillation and said cracking being conducted at the same pressure. v

22. The process of producing 'hydrocar bon oils having low boiling polntsfrom hydrocarbon 7 oils having high boiling points.

which consists of fractionally distillingthe hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a. current of gases of combustlonsubstantially devoid. of oxygen within a closedrchamber, subjecting thefractions so separated and in a vaporous-state progressively within said.

chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the

' lighter fractions being introduced into :con-

tact with said gases of combustion at a point adjacent the source thereofand the progressively heavier fractions beingv introduced into said current of gasesfof combu'stion at points progressivelyremoved from'lso I the source of said gases, said fractional dissubjecting the. fractions so se arated and in a vaporous'state progressive y within said chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby the fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being introduced into contact with said gases of combustion at a point drocarbon oils having high boilin which consists of fractionally distill adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being introduced into said current of gases of combustion at points progressively removed from the source of said gases, said fractional distillation andrsaid cracking being conducted at the same pressure.

24C. The process, of producing hydrocarbon oils having low boiling points from hypoints ing the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, generating a current of gases of combustion substantially devoid of oxygen within a closed chamber, subjecting the fractions so separated'and in my hand.

a vaporous state progressively within said chamber to contact with said current of gases whereby. the'fractions are cracked,'the lighter fractions being introduced into con.-

tact with said gases of combustion at a point I which consists of fractionally distilling the hydrocarbon oil to be treated, providing a heating medium, subjecting the fractions so separated progressively Within said chain ber to; the heat of said heating medium whereby said fractions are cracked, the lighter fractions being subjected to the heat of heating mediums at a point adjacent the source thereof and the progressively heavier fractions being subjected to the heat of said heating medium at points progressively removed from the source of said heating medium. 1

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ROLAND B. DAY. 

